Execution
- 1Position the patient supine with the test hip flexed to approximately 30 degrees.
- 2Place the hip in external rotation according to the test variant.
- 3Ask the patient to hold the straight leg raised while the examiner applies downward resistance.
- 4Monitor for anterior hip, groin, lower abdominal, or pubic pain.
- 5Compare with resisted straight-leg raise in neutral rotation and with the opposite side.
Positive outcome
Reproduction of familiar groin, pubic, or lower abdominal pain during resisted straight-leg raise in external rotation is positive. Pain location should guide whether hip flexor, intra-articular hip, adductor, or abdominal wall involvement is more likely. Weakness alone is not diagnostic.
CommentThe Stinchfield family of tests is nonspecific because it loads the hip flexors and compress the hip joint. The external-rotation version is used in some athletic groin pain protocols to bias the anterior hip and core-adductor complex. Without imaging or a broader examination, it should remain a low-value provocation finding.
Low Clinical Value